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Saturday, February 18, 2012

I had never lived in a subtropical location before, and along with loving the weather, I was really psyched about decorating

A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WAY.

This house is what I call a "Builder's Special";

Which means: It is just one of a series of cookie cutter homes in my neighborhood.

I had never lived in a development before, so this was an adjustment for me. I had to accept that my house was not unique.

Having grown up in an area of mostly old homes, I never thought I would be happily, joyfully, blissfully residing in the same house as 1/8th of my neighbors.

Sooooooooooo.....

Of course, as soon as I closed on this house, I started to change everything I could!!!!!

I do one project a year, so it always feels like it's my birthday.

I love mulling over a room; thinking about how to transform it; researching products and just generally obsessing about it until I am sure I know what I want to do.

THEN I GO BALLS TO THE WALL AND BLOW MY BUDGET!!!!

Once I figure out what I want to do, I almost NEVER

change it. So, this way I can justify the money I throw around on my yearly projects.

This is what the living room looked like when I bought the house.

(Which is much better than buying the farm!!!)

This is actually a view of the same corner of the room as the first picture.

I covered over the pass-through that is cut into the back wall.

I had that horrendous wall unit ripped out.

I put wood floors down.

I put in low voltage recessed lighting.

I had the walls wallpapered with fabulous bamboo wallpaper.

(I love it! I love it! I love it!)

I usually find one thing in a room that sets the feel I want to go for.

I use it as a design jumping off point.

In this room I found a pair of GREAT chairs.

I had no idea how I would use them (having not drawn the floorplans yet). But I knew that I could always use a pair of chairs.

This is what the room looked like, looking at the other wall......

Now.....

Most folks like a really open floor plan.....

But as you may be coming to realize.....

I ain't like most folks!!!.....

I like cozy contained spaces.

Don't know why....

I JUST DO!!!

Sooooooooooooooooooo.....

Not only did I close up the pass-through into the kitchen.....

I extended the wall to the end of the kitchen peninsula.

I wanted a solid wall between the kitchen and the living room, so I had a place to set a pair of club chairs.

Isn't it weird that the previous owners had a sunflower painting hung in the same place I do?????'course, I bought mine on Ebay!!
(this is really weird....I don't know if it's doing it on your monitor, but even though I am typing ebay in black, Blogger insists on changing it to blue. Blogger can be sooooooo weird!!!)

The chair on the left, is my chair.

Boy, I have so much more to share!!!!!More pictures of the room, stories about the stuff, close ups of more stuff. etc.etc.etc.etc.

But it's that time again......I'm hungry, and you know what that means.It's time to turn off the computer, and cook me some grub.

There's no way I would've been able to tell it was the same space if you hadn't told me...And of course it looks fabulous! Such an interesting mix of artwork. How did you choose your art placement? I'd love to know. Vanna

I love it! Much prefer color and cozy over wide open and white! I'm so enjoying your blog Betsy. Such good information and your humor is so enjoyable!!! Still think on your "centerfold" post...makes me laugh! Hope you have a GREAT weekend! :)

What I love the most is that you continue to teach us to decorate for yourself!!!! I had to look several times to see that this was the same space~quite a transformation! Love the colors and the coziness of the space.

I love the transformation Betsy! As Amy mentioned, I appreciate that you are showing us how to decorate with things we love. Since starting to read your blog, I have pulled out pictures that I had put away because I felt that I needed to "update" my home to keep up with what is new. Well, no more....I'm going to decorate my home for me. I love wallpaper and haven't used it for a long time but I'm going to start again as I love how cozy it makes a room look. Thank you for sharing with us.

I have a cookie cutter house, too, Betsy. I wish there was some way to add walls to my home, but the floor plan doesn't allow it. What is wrong with builders today that they build these homes with wide open spaces with no walls for pictures and nowhere to place your furniture? I have a three walled living space where one wall is an outside door and window, one wall is the fireplace (which is not centered on the wall) with a cutout for an entertainment center alongside it, and the third wall is the only place for the sofa. Yikes - I'm ready for an older home again.

Thanks for sharing your home with us - I always look forward to reading and laughing!

I like your sunflower picture better. Wonderful that you closed up the pass through to the kitchen. Oh the builders were cringing as you tour out that shelf unit. But they weren't the ones that would have had to dust the darn, huge thing. Love how you use color. I am so tired of the white/neutral thing.

What's really weird, is that on my Ipad, the text is black!I haven't gone back to my laptop to check it out there.But in your comment ( above ) the text is blue!!!!And now, on this newly opened comment page, my text above for ebay is blue!?Oy!

OK....Now I feel like a complete dufus.I have enrolled in a program that hightlights links to other websites. It's called Viglink. I sign up for all these programs, and then forget I did it. Sooooooo.....That is why ebay is highlighted!!!!!

I remember the first time staying at a condo a friend of ours owned in Florida, which was when I began loving tropial design. That was many years ago, and I still think it's very pretty, even though I live in a colder climate than you.

You did a wonderful job of turning a "cookie cutter house" into someting spectacular! I love the mix of colors and patterns. Those blue and gold chairs are beautiful, but I'm drawn to the green one since green (and pink) is my favorite color. My favorite part of the room is how you've mixed all the pictures on the wall together. I have never been good at putting different size and style pictures together, so I have enjoyed being inspired by you today.

Betsy, thank you very much for linking up to the Your Cozy Home Party this week!

Wow I love what you did, I definitely like cozy and closed over wide open space. Sure their appear big, but to me always are cold. I like the intimacy that I get, and it's the only way the Charmer rolls, cause she isn't open. I really enjoys your blog and sense of humor. Thanks for sharing your creative inspirations over at Sunday's Best.

I know what you mean about living in a cookie cutter home. But you did a fantastic job of personalizing yours. You've added so much interest and comfort. Looks very inviting!I'm your newest follower and hope you'll stop by.Mary Alice

How smart of you to tackle one project each year. I live in a cookie cutter house too, so I know what it's like. I love all of the changes that you made in your living room and I have a total crush on your striped chairs! I'm your newest linky follower. Take care.

I also live in Florida - and I love what you have done with you home. I found your site through No Minimalist Here blog hop and would love for you to come over and check out our home (which was a foreclosure) that we bought about a year and a half ago and completely gutted, because ALL the walls in the house were at a 45 degree angle! (What in the world was the builder thinking?????) Anyway, come on over and check me out - http://cdm-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/

Betsy...I just found you through the Mod Vintage LIfe Blog and I am so glad I did....I LOVE your room....so amazing and those chairs!!! My dream is to have a Florida cottage some day.......I can't wait to go through your blog....I bet I get a bunch of inspiration!!!! So glad I found you! Andrea @ Big Creek CottageAndeM1@hotmail.com

I found my way over from Funky Junk Interiors, and I'm glad I did! I'm now following. Your style is lovely and so colourful and fresh. I love looking at the collections. Those gorgeous club chairs with the little blue table are just perfect. Looking forward to seeing more.

Hello again Betsy- I know I commented on this post earlier in the week, but I just wanted you to know you were included in my Saturday Picks featured from the Your Cozy Home Party. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home and humor with us. I have a feature button if you would like to take it. Hope you are having a great weekend!

I found your blog from Shannon's Cozy Home Scenes...I really love the wall treatment you had put up that's a wonderful look! Your green plates play off the wall wonderfully and those chairs are awesome!I'm sure your neighbors must be amazed at the different look you've come up with. It's funny how zonal decorating is. Seems like a lot of the homes in Florida have the cool whites, tiles and mirrors!

Love the colors your chose. Your right--Florida style is so different and all your changes are gorgeous! Thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday--hope you'll be back this week!Mary @ Very Merry Vintage Style

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I've been a designer for longer than some of you have been alive. I have now started a new page of my career, closing my firm and designing furniture, as well as writing decorating books. Some of you may be familiar with my work over the years by seeing me in magazines. I tend to think that I'm funny, so please read my postings with a grain of salt thrown in for flavor. My spelling is atrocious, so I am refusing any responsibility for spell check right here and now. I hope anyone reading this will enjoy the pictures, info and humor.